OPTIONS FOR DEALING WITH EMPTY SHOPS NEARBY AND IMPACTING YOUR BUSINESS

Before we get into this topic, we need to say this. Be careful to NOT claim nearby empty shops as the cause of tough conditions for you. having an easy excuse could take your mind off things you can do in your business to address your situation. We believe owning your situation is critical in confronting any business challenge you face.

Empty shops are a fact of life in Australia. We have more lettable retail space per capita than just about any other country. Our retail space costs more, too. These factors, plus growing online business pushing 'retail' away from shops as well as high labour costs all play into causing retail spaces to sit  empty.

An allied challenge is the use of retail space. There was the trend of massage outlets. Then, in some areas, tea, bubble tea and similar 'exotic' drinks. Then, barbers. Often, these trend =businesses don't pull the traffic you need.

So, what's the answer? Here are some thoughts broken into sections.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Try and engage the council to facilitate better use of empty space. As galleries, free space for local makers, council funded display space for you for pop-up business. More events to bring people to you.

LANDLORDS.

This is a tough one. The best argument is that a space being used looks better to a prospective tenant than an empty space. 

If they are your landlord too, hope that they will support you and maybe give you free access to the space to pop-up or to an allied o=business from which you could benefit. Of the donation of the space to a local charity or community group to at least get living people in there and involved.

If all that fails, then art on the window to stop the empty shop looking like a coffin is a good step. The window could be local art or an ad for your business.

YOUR BUSINESS.

The situation around you is what it is. It is unlikely that you will be able to fix the empty shops. So, we suggest you focus on your business. Here's what this means in simple point form. 

1. Always having an awesome front window, a display that pushes back on assumptions abut your business.
2. Hosting regular activities to bring people to you. By regular we mean at a minimum monthly, preferably fortnightly.
3. Promoting on social media along the lines of point 1 above.
4. Partnering with the best other businesses nearby as they are in the same situation as you.
5. Consistently running a loyalty program that people love.
6. Making sure there is never a customer service misstep and that if there every is one it is fixed quickly and with grace and appreciation.
7. Making sure you are easily found on every local searchable tool and app so that people on their phones can find you based on what they might be looking for.

What all this comes down to is making more noise, much more noise, than you used to. Demanding to be noticed. Demonstrating at every touch point your relevance beyond what people expect of your business. Pitching the unexpected and young this with fun and without demanding them come and shop with you. 

It is tough being in a situation where there are empty shops. Taking steps, no matter how small, to deal with the challenge is critical. It is far better use of your time than complaining about it.